O'Neill Review, Is O'Neill Non-Toxic?
PFAS Authority is a scoring system, not a laboratory. We do not test products ourselves. Grades are model-based, built from published ingredients, materials, certifications, brand disclosures and third-party lab results where they exist. See the rubric.
Across 3 graded products, O'Neill averages Bad (20/100). On disclosure, the brand says nothing publicly about PFAS. None of its products grade Good or better yet. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab results.
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
O'Neill
Epic Back Zip Full Wetsuit
Neoprene with water-repellent coating-treated nylon exterior
water-repellent coating surface coating degradation and leaching
Nylon-based water-repellent coating treatments on wetsuits typically contain PFAS or PFAS…
Neoprene off-gassing and volatile organic compounds
Neoprene is often manufactured using chlorine-based or isocyanate chemistry; some…
Nylon microfiber shedding during wear and washing
The nylon exterior sheds microfibers into water during use and washing, particularly as…
High PFAS risk from waterproof treatment; no brand transparency available.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
O'Neill
Reactor 3/2mm Back Zip Full Wetsuit
Neoprene wetsuit with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment
PFAS
O'Neill does not disclose water-repellent coating chemistry; industry standard suggests…
Neoprene manufacturing byproducts and off-gassing
Neoprene can off-gas volatile organic compounds and chloroprene residues, particularly in…
Skin irritation from finish treatments or latex sensitivity
Neoprene itself is latex-free, but adhesives, seams, and water-repellent coating coatings…
Microplastic shedding during wear and laundering
Neoprene is durable but degrades over years of use and washing; micro-rubber particles…
Unknown PFAS risk in water-repellent coating; no brand disclosure of treatment specifics.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
O'Neill
Hyperfreak Fire 4/3 Chest Zip Wetsuit
Neoprene/synthetic rubber with water-repellent coating
PFAS
Standard neoprene wetsuits use fluorinated water repellents unless explicitly stated…
Neoprene degradation and microplastic shedding
Neoprene is mechanically robust but can fragment if stored improperly or exposed to…
Bacterial or fungal growth if not maintained
Neoprene retains moisture and can harbor Staphylococcus or fungal species if stored wet…
High PFAS risk typical of sealed wetsuits; no O'Neill commitment to PFAS-free water-repellent coating.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Every grade uses the same public rubric. How grades work →